God's Coaching #301

God's Coaching #301

Fans don’t have to go to stadiums to enjoy the live action of sports these days. Cable TV, special sports networks, even cell phones allow fans to watch the action almost anywhere. But it wasn’t always this way. Before the 1920s, sports fans had to read what happened to their team the next day in the newspaper. Or maybe they could find out the score on the radio when the game was over. But on October 28, 1922, sports fans received a treat when the first-ever around-the-country broadcast of a college football game was aired. The game pitted the Princeton Tigers against the University of Chicago Maroons. The game was played in Chicago, but fans along the East Coast gathered around radios to hear the action.

Chicago built an 18–7 lead heading into the fourth quarter. But a defensive touchdown and Harry Crum’s second score of the game gave the Tigers a 21–18 victory. Princeton clinched the game when it stopped Chicago just one foot away from the end zone as time ran out.

What’s the Score?

It’s so easy to get information today. But a hundred years ago, news traveled slowly. That made this game a really big deal. A New York Times reporter wrote that the town of Princeton, New Jersey, was filled with people “cheering madly one minute, groaning hoarsely the next.” Technology changed the way people enjoyed sports. Now they could hear how their favorite team was doing, even when the team was playing out of town.

Technology has also changed how Christians can tell others about Jesus Christ. After Jesus rose from the dead, he told his disciples to “go into all the world and preach the Good News to everyone” (Mark 16:15). That meant Jesus’ followers had to travel on foot or by boat to tell about God’s life-changing message. Today, we don’t have to be face to face to tell others about Jesus. You can use the Internet, text messages, phone, podcast, or any number of other ways to share God’s Good News. Of course, face to face still works, too.

On the Ball

What do you think would be the best way to tell others about Jesus? Why? Write down your ideas and try them out:

Coach’s Comment

He told them, “Go into all the world and preach the Good News to everyone.” Mark 16:15